Introduction The Sasti are a race of humanoid reptilians that live in or near great forests. The word Sasti is used for both singular and plural references to the race or individuals. There are two sub-species of Sasti, warrior and freeborn. Despite identical origins, as well as many physical similarities and cultural dependencies, the two types of Sasti are as different as two distinct races. Warrior Sasti typically stand 6'6" to 7'8", though a few extremes have occurred over the years. They have a tough, scaly hide that provides a degree of natural protection and a tail that is nearly as long as the Sasti is tall, giving them tremendous balance and agility. Most have distinctive markings along their back and tail, while some have a 'hood' which they can cause to rise about their neck, a tactic used to confuse or alarm the enemy during battle.. The markings and hood are among the few things that give a warrior individuality and, as such, are a source of great pride. A warrior has great strength, though its body is slender and not obviously muscular. They walk upright, though they do lean forward a bit. Their arms and legs are long and slim while their necks range from 4" to 12" length. Freeborn Sasti stand 3'6" to 4'8" tall. They have a soft, leathery skin which ranges in color from light green to medium brown. Their proportions are very similar to the warriors', with the exception of the tail, which is much shorter than their larger brothers'. Freeborn have no special markings like the warriors, but their skin changes color every few years. Both Sasti have three fingers and an opposable thumb which end in sharp, heavy nails. Their feet bear three, talon-like claws. Their eyes aren't mounted in the sides of their skull, like most reptilians, but farther forward toward the front. This gives them a wide field of vision while allowing them to focus forward more accurately, like a mammal. Neither has external ears but seem to have internal hearing facilities similar to most reptiles, though more acute. General Information Sasti usually establish their settlements, called Gathers, in or near large forests. Often these Gathers are at the edge of the forest, near an area of plains. Sast! prefer humid, tropical or sub-tropical climes, though they have been known to Gather in temperate areas. A Gather can range in size from 40 to nearly 1,000 Sasti. They are usually built in and around giant trees. Most of the Sasti buildings are in the trees, at the tops of makeshift lifts (used to carry up supplies and outsiders). Such buildings are made of wood, vines, brush, earth and other natural materials, including giant insect shells. Despite the crude materials used in their manufacture, the Sasti homes and buildings are quite stylized and speak of great architectural talents. Most human city dwellers would be amazed at, and envious of, the Sasti abodes. Warriors are large, battle-hardened creatures, while the Freeborn are smaller and weaker but considered more intelligent. The ratio of freeborn to warrior young seems to be related to the community needs at the time of laying. For example, if there were a battle which reduced the number of warriors in the Gather, the next egg laying season would yield predominantly warnor young. Warrior Sasti rarely wear armor, but they do maintain a set of ornate armor for ceremonial functions. This armor is usually either a gift from the Sasti's first employer, an influential family member, or is handed down from an old warrior. Warriors aren't materialistic creatures, but they do take pride in their armor, which is usually bronze or iron and decorated with symbols, carvIngs, and semi-precious stones. Warriors sleep only a few hours a day and tend to do so in short naps, though they do require nearly as much rest (called dormant time) as most humanoids. Warriors often rest in a crouching position. Near the Gather, they rest in deeps - narrow holes in the ground. The incredible strength of a warrior's legs allow him to leap out of the deep in one violent surge of strength during times of trouble. Deeps are often surrounded with prairie grass, brush or other living foliage to camoflage the deep, giving the Gather's defenders the advantage of surprise. Heightened senses allow warriors to hear sounds not in the normal human range and to 'smell' as well as trained tracking dogs (using their tongue, much as a snake or lizard does). A Sasti's eyesight is no better or worse than other humanoids, including humans. Though credited with a greater intellect, the freeborn aren't actually any more intelligent than warriors. Warriors just seem incapable of anything but the most focused, logical thought processes. Because of their more traditional intellect, the freeborn are the personality of the race - the merchants, community leaders, priests, scribes, etc. Freeborn are also capable of, or at least show, more emotions than the usually stoic warriors. Freeborn can be very passionate in their beliefs and desires, while battle skills tend to be the warrior's main concern. The typical freeborn is open and honest, even with outsiders, often without thought for their personal security. Warriors are very cautious, even suspicious of all outsiders, and are very protective of their freeborn charges. Sasti contact with other humanoid races, especially with regards to trading and political interaction, has increased over the last 50 years. Because of this increased contact, many freeborn have taken to wearing cloaks, belts, and hats as other 'civilized' races. Not understanding humanoid fashions, however, their choices of style and color sometimes make for a rather comical appearance. Freeborn and their warrior guards have become a frequent sight at the northern ports, where they bring rare herbs, spices, and giant insect shells to sell or trade. The Sasti curiosity is well known and they often trade for or purchase strange trade goods, not because they have use for the goods but because the item(s) interest the Sasti buyer. Physiology Though the Sasti appear reptilian in nature, they aren't strictly cold-blooded, as are reptiles. Their blood is 'cool' compared to most humanoid standards, which is why they tend to live in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Their actual body temperature is approximately 75'F, though warriors are usually slightly warmer and freeborn slightly cooler, due to differences in body mass and metabolism. Outside of their normal climes, living in temperate or cooler areas, Sasti tend to be much less active during the winter months. They do not actually become dormant or hibernate, but the blood does thicken and their usual lightning reflexes become sluggish. Sasti enjoy a very healthy existence, being immune to nearly all common humanoid diseases. In addition, due to their bodies' make- up and functions, wounds heal rather quickly. What would be a fatal wound for a human, such as the severing of a major artery, may not be lethal to a Sasti because their blood moves slower and congeals more quickly. Though reptilian in appearance, it should be noted that no part of the Sasti body is able to regenerate, as some reptiles are known to do. The Sasti diet consists mostly of prairie grasses, forest underbrush, and wild vegetables. These are often gathered in the wild by far-ranging warrior patrols, though certain plant varieties are cultivated in fields or clearings near the Sasti Gather. Sasti also consume many forms of insect, even creating mounds of refuse outside the Gather in order to attract the insects. Some lucky Gathers maintain herds of giant insects, considered a Sasti delicacy, if they are common to the region. Warriors also hunt giant insects of all kinds, providing catches to the Gather. Though animal flesh is generally distasteful to Sasti, warriors are occasionally overcome by a craving for raw meat. This only occurs once every year or two and the warrior will lay dormant for a day or two after ingesting the meat. Sages speculate that the warrior Sasti require a specific nutrient not otherwise available in their diet. Sages also believe that there is a special organ in the warrior which allows him to process and store this necessary nutrient until his body's supply is exhausted - then the process begins again. Warriors have become accustomed to this process, which most commonly occurs during winter. Racial Origins Sages and historians have argued over the probable origins of the Sasti since their 'discovery' by man some 200 years ago. Many support the argument that they are a distant relative of the lizardman, though they have nothing in common either intellectually or socially. Others grant them the distinction of individuality, believing them to be a separate and unique race with a natural origin of evolution, though there is little to support the existence of the Sasti past a time just 800 years ago. The Sasti themselves contend, in their oldest lore which dates back nearly 1000 years, that the 'Great Queen' created them as servants but that they were freed by her after a period of rebellious servitude. While most historians refuse to accept or debate the Sasti lore, others have speculated that the 'Great Queen' mentioned in the lore could refer to Raynak, the mythical Queen of Dragonkind. Culture & Societal Structure Warrior Sasti are taken from a clutch of eggs as soon as they hatch, being easily identifiable by their markings and tougher skin. They spend three years in a Sasti 'nursery' with other young warriors, being taught the basics of their existence: the Sasti language, hierarchy, religion and lifestyle. At the end of those three years they have reached 75% of their full growth and their musculature will be fully developed, ready for the rigorous warrior training. The next two years of their life are spent learning to be a Sasti Warrior. This is a strict, militaristic training that will introduce the fledgling warriors to dozens of weapons (including some that are unique to Sasti), teach the art of Lithing (see below), and create a hardened group of warriors unlike any other. Traditional weapons for Sasti warriors include the Atlatl (which projects a short javelin up to 150 yards), Hroth (spiked tail weapon), Jrahll (similar to a bastard sword) and Lawsk (razor edged throwing disks about 8 inches in diameter). In addition to these, warriors have a ceremonial weapon called a Shuan which is similar to a human pike or longspear. While the Shuan isn't often used in battle, certain command elements do carry such weapons as a symbol of authority. Sasti warriors are taught the art of Lithing from a young age, even beginning simple concepts of the art while in their nursery stage. lithing is the art of crawling through tall grass, between bushes, across ravines, etc, without disturbing the elements. This art allows warriors to creep unseen and unheard in minimal cover. Lithing is used to get close to enemies before attacking as well as to approach an unknown situation. While sages have been unable to discover the exact nature of Lithing, many believe that Sasti, like lizards and snakes, are able to change the shape of their rib- cage, allowing them to move through tight confines or flatten against the ground. Others claim that the Sasti religion/patron deity gives them a special affinity with the element of earth. The primary purpose of the warrior Sasti, performed by the military orders, is to protect the Sasti society. The secondary purpose is to protect and defend the freeborn Sasti from all dangers. This means that any freeborn Sasti traveling beyond the boundaries of a Sasti Gather must be accompanied by one or more Sasti warriors. If the freeborn in question doesn't have any warrior employees, warriors will be assigned to him/her for the duration of the expedition, as decided by the local Comiss (the authority figure for a Gather). In addition to military and defense, the warriors do many of the physical labor tasks required in such a society, like ditch digging, hunting, etc. Some warriors remain with the military as protectors of society as a whole, but many leave the military academies to be employed by freeborn as guards, protectors, hunters, gatherers, whatever is required. They will always remain warriors and spend a great deal of time keeping their skills sharp. Warriors are asexual and never take mates. They do remain part of their family tree, though they rarely see their birth parents. When a warrior dies, all belongings return to the family or warrior school to be passed on to future warriors of the same or related lines. Unlike the warriors, freeborn Sasti remain with their birth parents. At the age of three they enter Chal Quosth (life school), the Sasti equivalent of trade schools, after their parents have prepared them for their future in the Sasti Gather. Chal Quosth teaches the young freeborn their heritage, the workings of society and the potential positions that they can fill within that society. The freeborn young are guided into the profession that they show the greatest aptitude for and receive training until they reach maturity at the age of seven years. They usually choose a mate before 'beginning life' (which is the Sasti graduation from Chal Quosth) and are monogamous. If their mate dies, the survivor will not take a new mate. Only the freeborn are capable of having offspring. A pair of mated freeborn may have a clutch of eggs each spring during the first seven years of their mating. After the first seven years, the frequency of egg laying decreases. A typical egg laying will produce 3- 6 eggs and can contain any ratio of warriors to freeborn. Sasti don't seem to be concerned with the type of offspring produced, showing no preference for freeborn or warrior. All freeborn are treated equally, from merchant to farmer, politician to smith. They are a valued equally for the position they fill in society, realizing that each must serve their purpose in order for the Sasti to continue peacefully. Freeborn and warriors are also considered equal in the Sasti way of thinking, though outsiders might not understand how this is so due to the apparent subservience of the warriors. The freeborn and warriors are a symbiosis, creating the race known as Sasti. Neither could exist in peace and comfort without the other. Gathers are led by a Comiss, the community leader or elder. The direct translation of Comiss is 'wise one', thus the Comiss of a Gather is treated deferentially by its inhabitants. Decisions or disputes that can not be settled without mediation are decided by the Comiss in public council. If there is a priest in the Gather, which is only likely in very large Gathers (300+), it will be treated as equal to the Comiss in every way except in religious matters, where the priest will take precedence. Religion The Sasti religion is an integral part of their society because their religious leader is also the ruler of their society/culture. The Sasti Comar (direct translation - 'Great One') is considered the mortal incarnation of the Sasti patron god Tha Sastis (Tha Ss'tis) and, as such, is deferred to in every facet of Sasti culture. The Sasti priesthood is identified at birth, much as the warrior and freeborn are, by their spined back and ringed tail. Their build is between the freeborn and warrior, they stand about five feet to six feet tall, and they share the warrior's sterile nature. Only about twenty priests are born to each generation of Sasti (roughly one in a thousand). The Comiss is identified from among the priesthood by the dying Comiss, who personally selects the next body that Tha Sastis will inhabit. Young priests attend warrior training for two years and the Chal Quosth for an additional four years. It is said that the priests' intellect is superior to the freeborn, though this is difficult for sages to verify. In adulthood they take on the best qualities of each subspecies of Sasti. Sages do not consider priests a subspecies of Sasti because they are so rare. They are considered more of an oddity or uniform mutation of Sasti birth. The Sasti religion teaches social conscience, preservation of the Sasti, virtues, and natural acceptance. Natural acceptance is the understanding of one's place in the universe, one's elements, and acceptance of that relationship. Because of these philosophies, the Sasti are trusting of other races, within limits, though they fiercely protect their territory. Many attribute the art of Lithing, used by Sasti warriors and priests, to their natural acceptance and to Tha Sastis, as a god with strong elemental influences. The presence of the Sasti Comar, who is both spiritual leader and mortal guide to the Sasti Culture, is felt in every Sasti Gather and abode, enlightening them with the wisdom of the Comar and teaching them the ways of Tha Sastis. There are three great Holy Days for the Sasti each year - the Spring Equinox, the Fall Equinox, and The Birthing. The first two symbolize the acceptance of change, or of each other. The Birthing is the highest of Holy days for it represents the preserving of the Sasti, their ways, and their beliefs. Game Statistics The following statistics will be provided in AD&D terms because most gainers have been exposed to a 3-18 system of statistics at one time or another, so it serves as a good point of reference. Other statistics for 3-18 systems have been included, though their use is up to the individual GM/player. Sasti Warriors are strong, swift, and formidable fighters, so their statistics have been guided into a very physical domain. They may be given weapon and nonweapon proficiencies or specializations as fighters, but only in the weapons of the Sasti. They may learn other weapons, but only after leaving Sasti society (if used as a PQ. Str: 13-18 (12 + d6) Wis: 3-18 (3d6) Con: 11-18 (10 + d8) Cha: 3-18 (3d6) Dex: 15-18 (14 + d4) Com: 3-18 (3d6) Int: 3-18 (3d6) Siz: 18-28 (16 + 2d6) In addition, warriors have a base AC of 7. This would translate to an armor value of 3 in Runequest or Pendragon. They have 10 sided hit dice and may use their constitution bonus as a warrior. Warriors are also trained in the art of Lithing, which allow them to approach the enemy unseen and unheard. This may be treated as if they had Move Silently and Hide in Shadows as if a thief of 6 levels higher than the warrior level. Thus, a first level Sasti warrior would have all of the skill points of a 7th level thief, but could only use them in the two skills provided in Lithing. The GM may want to read more into the Lithing, since it can be done in daylight and there is an elemental tie in, but that is up to the individual GM. Sasti weapons are as follows: Atlatl 1-6/1-8 ranges: 6/12/15 Lawsk 1-8/1-6 ranges: 2/4/8 Hroth 1-8/1-8. Warriors may attack with this tail weapon each round, in addition to their regular melee attacks). Freeborn Sasti are smaller and less physical, but spend more time in intellectual pursuits from trading to diplomacy. This is expressed in their game statistics. Str: 3-13 (2d6+1) Wis: 13-18 (12 + d6) Con: 3-18 (3d6) Cha: 3-18 (3d6) Dex: 12-18 (10 + 2d4) Com: 3-18 (3d6) Int: 13-18 (12 + d6) Siz: 5-8 (4 + d4) Freeborn use d6 for their hit dice and have a natural AC of 9. They have the nonweapon proficiencies of a priest and thief combined, tending toward merchant skills, gambling, and intellectual pursuits. Given their choice, freeborn would all be merchants, traders, diplomats or sages, the Comiss willing. Any travelling freeborn will have 1-4 warrior bodyguards with him/her. Sasti Priests are an interesting breed, and a supreme combination of the two subspecies of Sasti. Only one in a thousand Sash are born as priests. They have much of the strength of a warrior and all the intellect of a freeborn. They also endure much of the warrior training, including weapon specialization and Lithing (see warrior). Str: 11-18 (10 + 1d8) Wis: 15-18 (14 + d4) Con: 3-18 (3d6) Cha: 3-18 (3d6) Dex: 14-18 (12 + 2d4) Com: 3-18 (3d6) Int: 15-18 (14 + d4) Siz: 9-12 (8 + d4) As for spells, the Sasti priesthood should have access to most elemental/natural spheres, plus ALL, and many knowledgebased spells (such as comprehend languages, speak with animals, etc.). Sasti have NO necromantic related spells (such as speak with dead or raise dead), though they may have healing spells of all kinds. At higher levels a Sasti priest gains access to powerful defensive and offensive spells. The Art of Creating Non-Player Characters Back to Shadis #17 Table of Contents Back to Shadis List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master List of Magazines © Copyright 1995 by Alderac Entertainment Group This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com